world convincing that from thee I spring;
"Reproachful doubts erasing from my mind."
He said;--the sire the glittering rays removes
That blaz'd around his head,--invites him nigh,
And thus embracing:--"Proud I own thee, son,
"For all is true by Clymene disclos'd.
"If still thou doubtest, name the gift thou lik'st,--
"That shalt thou have; for that will I bestow.
"Ye streams unseen, which hear celestial oaths
"My vows attest!" But scarce had Phoebus spoke,
When Phaeton, the fiery car demands,--
Demands his sway the winged-footed steeds
One day should suffer. Soon the solemn oath
Phoebus lamented: three times mournful shook
His glorious tresses and in sorrow cry'd--
"Would I could yet deny thee!--O my son!
"All else with gladness will I hear thee ask;--
"List to persuasion,--perseverance sure
"Will risk thy ruin. Phaeton, my child!
"The task thou seek'st is arduous; far unfit
"For those weak arms, and age so immature.
"Mortal,--thou would'st a seat immortal press.
"Ignorant of grasping more than all the gods
"Attempt to manage. Every power we grant
"Diverse excels; but I of all the gods,
"Have force in that igniferous car to stand.
"Ev'n Jove, the ruler of Olympus vast,
"Whose right hand terrible fierce lightenings hurls,
"This chariot never rul'd: and who than Jove,
"More mighty deem we? Steep the first ascent,
"The fresh steeds clamber up the height with pain:
"High in mid heaven arriv'd, to view beneath
"Ocean and earth, oft strikes even me with fear,
"And with dread palpitation shakes my breast.
"Prerupt the end, and asks a firm restraint;
"Tethys herself who nightly me receives,
"Beneath the waves, fears oft my headlong fall.
"Nor all;--the skies a constant whirling bears
"In rapid motion, and the heavenly orbs
"Sweep with them swift; I strive the adverse my;
"Nor can th' impetuous force which whirls the rest
"Bear with them me; I stem the rapid world
"With force superior. Grant, the car I yield,--
"Could'st thou the swift rotation of the poles
"Stem nervous, nor be borne with them along?
"Perchance imagination fills thy mind,
"With groves, and dwellings of celestial gods,
"And temples richly deck'd with offer'd gold,
"Where thou shall pass. Far else;--thy journey lies,
"Through ambushes, and savage monsters' forms.
"Ev'n shouldst thou lucky not erratic stray,
"Yet must thou pass the Bull's opposing hor